Ledger: WR Townsend up to speed

As if the trio of Kenny Britt, Tiquan Underwood and Tim Brown wasn't fast enough company for opposing defenses to keep, there's a chance that Rutgers' wide receiver corps will truly be up to speed for tomorrow's Syracuse game.

James Townsend has given enough indications that he's ready and willing to play, but head coach Greg Schiano still isn't sure if the fifth-year senior is healthy enough to put his world-class speed to use.

"James' biggest issue is he can't stay healthy for two weeks in a row," Schiano said. "Until he does, we can't put a lot of stock in him."

Held out of the first four games because of a hamstring injury, the 6-1, 190-pounder saw limited time last week against Cincinnati. He didn't catch a pass or return a kickoff, but says he will be ready if the opportunity presents itself against the Orange.

Figure that a player whose 40 time of 4.30 is believed to be a school record will get the ball in his hands soon enough.

"Yeah, it has been frustrating," said Townsend, who claimed he was finally healthy again. "Injuries, that's the name of the game. So you've got to keep a level head, stay positive with the team, still study, get your mental reps in and keep on rehabbing and getting stronger."

Townsend said he has forced himself to take it slow for a change, at least when it comes to allowing his body to heal. A hamstring is more nagging than debilitating, but for a guy who depends on his legs it's something he wasn't able to play through.

"A hamstring, especially for a fast a guy, a low or sub-4.3 guy, when you do that first burst, you can't do it," he said. "Everything with speed comes from your hamstring. I'm fast and I want to go out there full speed but I know I've got to be smart, I knew I had to rehab and get stronger in my hamstring again."

As tempted as Schiano has been to call on Townsend's game-changing speed, he hasn't been able to do so yet, however.

"Physically, he's more talented than most kids in the country," Schiano said, "but he needs to be able to consecutively participate."

For now, Townsend's only goal is helping the 3-2 Knights, who have been staggered by consecutive defeats. But when the season ends he may have to deal with yet another challenger to his title as Rutgers' fastest player. Willie Foster had a go at Townsend three years ago and came up short. Tim Brown had his shot last year and was second in a two-player dash.

Now it's true freshman Brandon Bing, the Pennsylvania state spring champion last year.

"No, I'm not worried about it," Townsend said. "Everyone said 'Timmie, Timmie, Timmie that' and 'Willie, Willie, Willie this.' They all know who (the fastest is)."

Bing hasn't formally challenged Townsend yet, which might be a good thing.

"I'd advise him not to," Townsend said.

Schiano said he didn't know yet if true freshman Anthony Davis (at right guard), Jean Beljour (at fullback), Ryan D'Imperio (middle linebacker) or Blair Bines (outside linebacker) would make their first career starts tomorrow, but he did say all four will play more than they have been.

Schiano didn't hide his displeasure yesterday over the growing "blogs" that cover Rutgers practice, indicating that too many are revealing off-limits information that puts his team at a competitive disadvantage.

"I'm not frustrated," he said, after cutting practice short yesterday. "Actually, I am frustrated. If I read another blog that says what is happening in practice, anybody that does it is immediately off (barred from practice). I don't care. Just so we're clear.

"I'm not going to put up with it. If I read it or hear it from pregame (and) that's not supposed to be said, they're done."